Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that ‘without music, life would be a mistake’, and I am entirely in agreement with him. As a second year Music student at Murray Edwards, and President of the Music Society, I am heavily involved within the musical life of the college, and of the university as a whole. I recently went on tour with the Cambridge University Musical Society Symphony Orchestra and I had the BEST time. There is something wonderful about playing glorious music with lots of people who also love to play glorious music!
Murray Edwards is a hive of musical talent, as demonstrated in our various activities and concerts. In the past year our most notable successes have been Women in Song, the Music Scholarship Competition, and Orchestra on the Hill.
As part of the Murray Edwards’ 60th anniversary celebrations, former student Amy Johnson and choir director Sophie Ip put on a concert featuring the music of inspirational female composers and performers through the ages, ranging from Hildegard von Bingen to Lady Gaga. The performance featured over thirty talented women, including solo singers, instrumentalists, band members and dancers. It is this sort of event which really emphasises the importance and worth of a women’s college.
The annual Music Scholarship Competition is an opportunity for any musician at Murray Edwards to showcase their talent and be considered for one of two scholarship awards of £400, which is to be put towards instrumental/vocal tuition. As the fortunate recipient of one of these scholarships, I can say firsthand that this money has been extremely helpful. As any musician will know, music lessons can be very expensive, especially if you are at a high level. This scholarship has enabled me to have lessons with incredible teachers whose fees I otherwise may not have been able to afford. The competition evening is also thoroughly enjoyable, with a panel of three friendly judges, and a supportive audience. At Cambridge it is so easy to get buried in work and to stop performing altogether, and this competition is a lovely way to prevent this from happening.
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